Come Saturday November 2, Nollywood family,
their kinsmen from the music community, their comedian brothers and sisters,
including celebrities across Nigeria, will queue behind Yinka Lawanson, a.k.a;
Lamboginny in a proposed One Million Man March against drug abuse and
trafficking in Lagos State.
The
event is being packaged by Lawanson in conjunction with the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in their fight against drug trafficking and abuse
among the youths.
Also expected to march along Lamboginny, the
NDLEA, the entertainment personalities are the Nigerian Army, National Security
and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, the Nigeria Navy, NN, the Nigeria Police Force,
NPF, the Airforce, Nigerian Red Cross Society, NRCS, the Nigeria Immigration,
Nigerian Prison Service and Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC
and other Para-military organizations across
the country.
The millennium-march is expected to start
from Obalende LCDA, in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Lawanson popularly called Lamboginny is the
NDLEA ambassador and is packaging the one million man march throughout the
whole country.
The
essence of bringing key celebrities, actors, musicians, comedians, and the likes
was the initiative of Lamboginny whose philosophy of reformation tint towards
using popular faces who command lots of followers from their youth- fans to
bring the gospel of truth about dangers of illicit drugs to these endangered
Nigerians. Last week at Jevinik
Restaurant on Isaac John Street Ikeja GRA, Lagos during the media briefing to
kick start the event, the celeb at the venue of the programme showed that the
march is expected to be one grand occasion.
Leading the pack of celebrities on that day
were Yinka Lawanson, also known as Lamboginny, Yemi Sax, Skuk, Laide Bakare,
Beverly Ada Osu, the Nigerian BBA ‘bad girl’, Micheal Bonny Bassey
Sierra-Leonean, BBA, representative, Adeyemi Adeosun (Yemisas), UN peace
Awareness, Micheal Okechukwu, (Ruggedman), and others.
On the other side were Mitchell Ofoyeju, who
represented the NDLEA boss, Ahmed Giade, Nigerian Army barrack youth
foundation, Prince McDonald Otoba, Adio Christopher, Okpo Titus, Mr Igwe, Mefor
Chibuzor, Lagos State Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC and other
representatives from the police and the Army. Others who have indicated their
interest to support the march are
Speaking at the media briefing, Lamboginny
said after due consultations with his partners in the industry, he decided to
take the bull by its horn to organise the programme as a sure means of creating
awareness concerning the inherent dangers in drug abuse and trafficking among
the youths of the country.
According to him, the event is kicking off
first in Lagos and after that the Abuja part of the march will take place
before moving to Port-Harcourt, Capital of Rivers State and other states of the
federation.
Lamboginny disclosed that the choice of
Obalende was a result of the fact that Obalende is the boiling point of Lagos
State.
He explained that the choice of the city
indicates that everything usually starts from Obalende which serves as heart of
Lagos. According to him, the event will kick off by 8am from Obalende.
The March is supported by Obalende Community
Development Association. He said the march will move from there to Awolowo –way
before belting at Tinubu Square where lectures would be delivered by guest
lecturers. The march will be transmitted live on google+.
Other personalities expected to grace the march
are top Nigeria personnel, Celebrities and different security sectors will be
present at the walk. List of Personnel and Guest Speakers includes the D.G.
NDLEA, Femi Ajayi, Alibaba, former Diamond Bank’s Head Corporate
Communications, Charles Udoh, Joke silver
Olisa
beat Fm, Osita Iheme a.k.a Pawpaw
- CEO Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, CEO
Nigezie, Kwame, Yaw of wazobia FM, and the Official Dj is Dj Jimmy Jatt. Other
celebrities supporting the event also includes, Olumide, Yemisax, Ruggedman
Damilola Adegbite, Mbryo, Denrele (V.J), Kaffy (Dance queen), Yemi Alade
- Kennis Music All Star General pype,
Artquake, illami, Akio, TEKNO MILES, OD WOODS, Terry Apala, Kome, Owen Gee
(comedian), Mc ice –water, AKPORORO, Laide Bakare, jhybo, Cynthia Morgan, Anny,
Halima Abubakar, Gabriel Afolayan and Internationally Supported by the American
Consulate and Community.
The
media has indicated their interest to support the event, among them are,
Soundcity, Galaxy TV, Acada Magazine, Al jazeera News (international), MusicGlob,
Nigeria Tribune, Reel Radio (online Radio sponsor), My celebrity and I (blog),
DYNAMIX TV, Shybellmedia, WapTv, Mitv Channels TV, NTA, OloriSupergal, Sahara
TV, Nigezie, Breeze On TV, Lee Magazine and Emgagegospel, while refreshment
will be provided by Jevinik Restaurant.
Mitchell Ofoyeju who represented the Chairman
of the NDLEA disclosed that the agency was of great joy that such event is
being championed by the agency’s anti-drug Ambassador, Yinka Lawanson.
According to Ofoyeju, the initiative was a
laudable and great coming from Lamboginny and said the agency appreciated the
project and called for the support of the general public.
“This briefing is designed to create the much
need awareness and generate massive support in Nigeria for the public rally
slated for November 2, 2013 in Lagos. The take off point is Obalende, while the
terminal destination is Tinubu Square”,
Ofoyeju added. “The ultimate aim of this
national campaign is to sensitize Nigerians on the threat posed by drug crop
cultivation, production and smuggling.”
Ofoyeju who represented his chairman explained that the programme was to
alert members of the public of their important civic responsibilities in the
fight against drug production, trafficking and use.
He said. “Interestingly, this is in line with
the mandate of the NDLEA. Section 3, subsections 1 (n), of the NDLEA Act,
specifically states that the agency shall take such measures that may ensure
the elimination and prevention of the root causes of the problems of narcotic drugs
and psychotropic substances”. In explaining the choice of Lamboginny as
anti-drug abuse ambassador, Ofoyeju said it was a way of identifying credible
Nigerians with burning passion to advance the campaign against drug abuse and
peddling. “Lamboginny has demonstrated that being an anti-drug abuse Ambassador
is not in words and title but in deeds,” Ofoyeju stated.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, besides
arrests and prosecution of persons involved in drug trafficking, the Agency is
also saddled with the responsibility of public enlightenment on substance abuse
as well as care for persons with drug abuse problem. The campaign message is-
know Your Neighbour; Say no to Drugs”. Ofoyeju said the message must be widely
propagated on multiple platforms adding that the agency is effectively engaging
the entertainment community.
He appealed to the stakeholders to join the
NDLEA and Lamboginny in making the message of Say No to Drugs a household
slogan.
Ofoyeju said the message should go viral on
the social networks but most importantly to bring about a positive change in
the attitude of Nigerians especially the youths who are the most vulnerable
group.
“Your contribution will go a long way in
liberating that man or woman in the valley of indecision contemplating drug
abuse”. He added.
“The agency has also made arrangement for
Drug Abuse Counselling Units across the 36 states and the federal capital
Territory FCT Abuja. This will help in addressing the divergent needs of
members of the public on how to stay away from substance abuse”. NDLEA
spokesman disclosed that drug trafficking and abuse have destroyed many people
especially the youths with promising careers and destinies. He added that most
crimes are perpetrated under the influence of drugs. “It’s sad that many people
are in prison custody both within and outside the country on account of drug
trafficking. Let us therefore deploy every resource at our disposal in
preventing illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse”, he advised.
“I also wish to use this opportunity to
solicit the support of government at all levels, embassies, corporate
organizations, non-governmental organizations and individuals towards a
successful rally. We deeply appreciate all sponsors and welcome new ones as the
date of the mass rally draws nearer. The agency will continue to work towards a
peaceful and safe society”.
Ofoyeju also thanked the Media for their
wonderful support of the agency and said the vibrant Nigerian media has
demonstrated their zeal in building a society free of drugs.
It will be recalled that the NDLEA appointed
Nollywood star Stella Damasus and music act, Lawanson Yinka, Lamboginny, as
anti-drug abuse/trafficking ambassadors because of their proven track records.
The duo was officially unveiled as the new ambassadors at the NDLEA
headquarters in Lagos. Director General of the agency, Dr. Femi Ajayi, said
Stella and Lamboginny were selected for the honour due to their outstanding
positive impacts on youths and the society at large. Lamboginny, Say No To Crime
project, he said, was worthy of emulation while Stella has been inspiring the
youths through her many activities and projects.
The Director General of NDLEA, Otunba Femi
Ajayi, who made the presentation of certificates to the new ambassadors, noted
that they are active champions of efforts against drug abuse and illicit drug
trafficking in Nigeria.
In their separate reactions, after the
presentation of certificates to them by the agency, Stella and Lamboginny
promised not to relent on their efforts, adding that they would do all within
their reach to assist the agency and its officials in achieving their primary
objectives.
The One Million March event is one of those
good things Lamboginny has promised to do for the agency coming few months
after his appointment.
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